"Killer Katanas 2 Basics" Topic

Hello!

I have finally gotten around to starting a couple Samurai armies but have yet to purchase some rules.

I've heard good things about Killer Katanas 2 and will probably go with them.

That being said, is there a web site out there that gives a breakdown for units – i.e. how many minis per unit?

I'm also looking for guidance in building starter armies. Do any of you have suggestions? What size, and composition, is a typical army in Killer Katanas 2?

Thanks for the help!

I have been slowly building up Takeda and Oda/Tokugawa clans in 15mm and have a copy of KK2, which contains a ton of useful information regarding the composition of samurai armies by clan, ie. Takeda has far more mounted samurai than other clans and some very detailed scenarios to refight the battles of the Sengoku Jidai.

Anyway, the short answer to your question is that there are no set unit sizes or typical armies. Instead, you pick the size of army which you are going to field and the clan list will tell you what percentage are samurai which are then further subdivided into mounted and foot, and then by weapon type. Ashigaru are treated similarly. For example, if you wish to field an army of 2000 Takeda clan, 15% are mounted samurai so 300 of which 25% are armed with bow, 75. 25% of the entire force are noncombatants, 500 leaving a total of 1200 foot soldiers of which 50% are samurai and 50% ashigaru, which are both further subdivided by armament. The figure scale is either 1:15 or 1:30 and there is no point in fielding the noncombatants.

Anyway, hope that helps. You might want to consider Peter Pigs Battles in the Age of War. Again, I haven't played these rules but lots of period feel. Also, there are a couple of very interesting sets of free rules for this period available online. However, KK2 has a lot of really good info and is worth the price even if you don't play the rules.

I have KK2, but I'm basing my 6mm samurai for DBA and/or FoG. That means 40mm wide bases with various depths depending on unit type. I think it is close enough to the basing system recommended in KK2, and since the only ancient/medieval players in my area play DBA and FoG it allows me to play against them.

As long as you are consistant, basing size is not that important. I plan to use them for DBA first, and make two opposing armies. Then I'll gradually increase the size until they can be used in FoG and try KK2. And even if I never end up playing it, the KK2 books are nice and an interesting read.

As for units per base, my first attempt was with 14/base, but I'll probably use fewer for some unit type:

picture

For 15mm I would put 3-4 on each such base, and for 28mm I would use twice as large bases.

All of the above is correct, I'd just add,

KKII utilizes approx 100-300 men to a base, 4 figures per base…. some well known battles of the Sengoku period, the larger of which may have up to 20,000 to 50,000 total combatants…do the math. In this case, you really do have to do the math to get the total figures needed, but at least a couple hundred to start to play the game.

KKII recommends 1.5 inch bases, but that is quite close to the more standard 40mm. However FOG's list is for the Muromachi period, a couple hundred years earlier: somewhat different army organization, archers not firearms (a significant component of KKII) and, if you want to be technical, different armor types. So, they are not exactly interchangeable, although you could probably get away with interchanging most units.

Check Yahoo groups for Asian Warfare, and Samurai, There are two or there groups I am on with scenarios and army lists on them.
VR
James Mattes

Is there a summary anywhere of the changes between KK and KK2?

I have the original set but gave up on it a while ago as it became too fiddly for the larger multi player battles we were getting into. Would be interested to see what has evolved.

I'll gradually increase the size until they can be used in FoG and try KK2. And even if I never end up playing it, the KK2 books are nice and an interesting read.

Yes, I got them as good background although I am unlikely to play KK2 – it will be FOG (actually FOGR for the Sengoku era).